Whether you’re training for a marathon, heading to the gym or playing five-a-side football, a good book could be one of the most powerful tools in your fitness kit.
New research released today by GLL, the social enterprise that operates ‘Better’ leisure centres across South London, has revealed that reading delivers a wide range of benefits for people who exercise regularly, from improving sleep and recovery to boosting focus, motivation and sporting performance.
Commissioned to mark the National Year of Reading 2026, the survey shows that active Brits are increasingly turning to books as a way to recharge both body and mind after exercise.
More than half (55%) of physically active adults say reading helps reduce stress and anxiety, while over a third (37%) say it helps them switch off and recover after exercise. A further 35% say reading improves their focus and concentration, and almost a quarter (23%) say it boosts their motivation.
The findings suggest that reading is far more than a relaxing pastime. For many people, it plays a key role in their sporting lives.
One in five active adults say reading helps them manage the mental demands of training and competition, while 17% believe it positively impacts their performance or motivation. More than one in ten (13%) say reading helps them visualise their performance, a technique widely used in elite sport to improve results. Almost one in ten say it helps calm pre-competition nerves.
Reading helps active people recover better
When it comes to recovery, reading appears to have a clear advantage over scrolling through phones and social media feeds.
Nearly seven in ten active adults (69%) read in the evening before bed, and better sleep is one of the most commonly reported benefits. More than four in ten runners (43%) say reading helps improve their sleep and recovery, while over a third of all active adults say it helps them switch off after exercise.
Overall, active Brits spend an average of more than seven hours a month reading, highlighting the important role books play in supporting healthy lifestyles.
Footballers lead the way
With football fans gripped by the World Cup, the research found footballers are among the strongest believers in the benefits of reading.
More than half (55%) say reading improves their focus and concentration, 40% say it helps them recover and switch off, and over a third (37%) say it positively affects their sporting performance or motivation.
More than a third (35%) also said free access to books and audiobooks through their local leisure centre would encourage them to read more.
Different sports, different stories
The survey also revealed interesting differences in reading habits across sporting communities.
Runners are particularly likely to use reading to support sleep, recovery and concentration, while gym-goers (60%) and yoga and Pilates participants (58%) are the most likely to say reading helps reduce stress and anxiety. Swimmers are close behind at 58%.
When it comes to reading time, golfers top the leaderboard, averaging more than eight hours of reading each month. Yoga and Pilates participants follow closely behind, ahead of walkers and hikers.
Reading tastes also vary by sport. Footballers are most likely to choose sports books and self-improvement titles, while runners are more likely to reach for romance novels.
Hannah Gilmour, GLL’s Partnership Manager for Lewisham said:
“Our research shows that active people are already discovering the powerful connection between reading and wellbeing. Whether it’s helping people unwind after exercise, improve their focus or support better recovery, reading has benefits that extend far beyond the page.
“Through our partnership with the National Year of Reading 2026, we want to make it easier than ever for people to discover how reading can support both their physical and mental wellbeing.”
David Hayman, Campaign Director, National Year of Reading 2026 added:
“We are delighted to welcome GLL as an official partner of the National Year of Reading 2026. As the biggest reading campaign in a generation, our mission is to inspire people everywhere to rediscover the joy of reading and make it part of everyday life.
“We’re encouraging people to read into their interests – whether that’s football, running, swimming, cycling or going to the gym. Reading helps people deepen their connection with the things they love, while also delivering benefits for wellbeing, confidence and learning. We’re excited to share those benefits with GLL’s members across the UK.”
